Columbia University plans to hold its traditional institution-wide commencement ceremony on Wednesday after cancelling it in 2024 due to pro-Palestinian protests. On Sunday, a group of pro-Palestinian students held their own,

Columbia's acting president Claire Shipman faced protests during graduation, as students demanded freedom for Mahmoud Khalil amid anti-Israel protest tensions.

Columbia University’s acting President Claire Shipman was drowned out by angry boos and chants at the school’s graduation ceremony Tuesday morning.

By Amy Goodman & Denis Moynihan Columbia University held graduation this week, with thousands receiving their degrees. Some students were missing, though, casting a pall over the proceedings.

Columbia University acting President Claire Shipman was greeted with boos and chants of "free Mahmoud" as she took the lectern to speak at the school's graduation ceremony.

Freed Columbia University protester Mohsen Mahdawi was allowed to stride across the graduation stage Monday — just three weeks after being cut loose from an immigration jail. The 34-year-old, who was draped in a keffiyeh, paused in the middle of the stage as he listened to some of his fellow grads cheer him on.

Students and activists in the Palestine solidarity movement protested Columbia University’s graduation on Wednesday, with some demonstrators just off-campus burning or tearing up diplomas.

In another of Schwalb’s videos, students can be heard chanting “FREE MAHMOUD!” in reference to Mahmoud Khalil, a student activist leader and green card holder who was arrested and remains in detention after being taken from his New York City apartment building by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in March 2025.

Columbia students rally for peer Mahmoud Khalil, detained by ICE over pro-Palestinian activism, at the 2025 commencement ceremony.